Partey time as Ghana crush Madagascar in World Cup qualifier

JOHANNESBURG – Thomas Partey scored twice and fellow English Premier League midfielder Mohammed Kudus once, as Ghana outplayed Madagascar 3-0 on March 24 in a match between the top two sides in Group I of Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Captain Jordan Ayew created all three goals to complete a successful night for EPL players, as Ghana built a five-point lead over second-placed Madagascar.

Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for the World Cup in North America, while the four best group runners-up will head to play-offs.

Adding to the joy in the Ghana camp was the fact that Mali, the top seeds in the group, stayed third after surprisingly dropping two points in a 0-0 draw with the Central African Republic in Casablanca, Morocco.

But fourth-placed Comoros can climb to second and cut the gap behind Ghana to three points if they beat bottom-placed Chad on March 25 (March 26, Singapore time).

Arsenal midfielder Partey scored both goals with headers, finishing off an Ayew free kick in the 11th minute and a corner taken by the Leicester City veteran in the 53rd minute.

West Ham United star Kudus completed the scoring five minutes later, collecting an Ayew pass to fire past Luxembourg-based goalkeeper Geordan Dupire.

Madagascar never really threatened the Black Stars defence in Moroccan coastal city Al Hoceima, where they hosted the match as they are one of the African sides who lack Fifa-approved venues.

It was the fifth victory in six World Cup qualifiers for Ghana, who are seeking redemption for a disastrous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

The four-time African champions finished last after drawing three matches and losing three in a group from which Angola and Sudan qualified.

Ghana coach Otto Addo praised his men’s “exceptional” work ethic, adding: “Defensively, we were very solid. I was happy with that. It was really decisive, the execution of the free kicks and also the positioning in the box... There is still a lot of work to do, but I think we are happy we are in a good position.”

While Ghana cruised to victory, Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast had to settle for a laboured 1-0 win over Gambia in Abidjan as they remained top of Group F with 16 points, one more than Gabon.

Sebastien Haller, who scored the winner in the 2023 Cup of Nations final triumph over Nigeria, netted after 15 minutes to sink the Gambians.

Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra created the match winner for the Ivorians, who qualified for three consecutive World Cup tournaments from 2006, but did not make it to the last two editions.

Group H leaders Tunisia grabbed a late 2-0 win over 10-man Malawi in Rades, thanks to a header from Seifeddine Jaziri on 86 minutes and an injury-time penalty converted by Elias Achouri.

After conceding twice, Richard Mbulu missed a penalty for the Malawians, who had defended gallantly after Lloyd Aaron was red-carded on 65 minutes following two cautions.

Second-placed Namibia drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea in South African city Polokwane. Peter Shalulile put the Namibians ahead on 51 minutes and Saul Coco levelled soon after.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk forward Lassina Traore scored twice as Burkina Faso won 2-1 in Guinea-Bissau and moved within two points of Group A leaders Egypt, who host Sierra Leone on March 25 (March 26, Singapore time). AFP